NCP SP Protests Across Maharashtra Over Sonam Wangchuk Detention
On Monday, July 20, 2026, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) organized statewide sit-in protests across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, to condemn the Central Government's detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. During the demonstrations, the party also demanded the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protests were led by the NCP (SP) Youth Wing and the Students' Wing. The mobilization saw widespread participation, drawing in large numbers of youth, students, and party workers who gathered to express their opposition to the Central Government's actions.
The demonstrations centered on the treatment of Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a prolonged hunger strike before being detained by authorities. The NCP (SP) criticized the Centre for resorting to police action and detention rather than addressing the activist's concerns.
Party representatives argued that a democratic government should prioritize peaceful dialogue with citizens instead of using police force to suppress agitations. The demonstrators emphasized that the government should have engaged in direct discussions with the peaceful protesters supporting Wangchuk’s cause.
The statewide protests highlighted the growing friction over public demonstrations and civic rights. The active involvement of the NCP (SP) Students' Wing and Youth Wing ensured a significant presence across various districts in Maharashtra, where workers raised slogans and demanded accountability from the central administration.
The protesters expressed strong disapproval of the government's handling of the situation, stating that democratic dialogue was bypassed in favor of police action. The demonstrations remained focused on seeking justice for the detained activist and calling for political accountability, specifically targeting Dharmendra Pradhan and drawing attention to the actions of other political figures like Dada Bhuse in the region.
Through these sit-ins, the NCP (SP) aimed to send a clear message to the Central Government regarding the handling of peaceful agitations and the rights of citizens to protest.
